Maximizing quality of life for women of (any) size

"Become all you are, today; don't wait to be less"

AmpleAliveness -- ample aliveness -- a phrase I've been using for a couple of years now, and to which many of my waking (and some sleeping) hours are dedicated. So what does AmpleAliveness mean, anyway?

People saying YES to life, today, now, here - not tomorrow, not when some number says it's OK

People in Ample bodies claiming our Aliveness -- exactly as we are, without apology, shame, guilt, or acceptance of any of the negative judgment the world seems determined to heap upon us, simply for our shape and size

All of the above!

It is my wish, and hope, as this blog and our conversation here evolve, so will our understanding of AmpleAliveness. So what does it mean to you to be Amply Alive? Click on Commentand let me know.

A listmate (on one of many email lists on which I participate) wrote that she was "guilty" of loving tacos, which have undesired effects on her blood sugar. So she substitutes lettuce for taco shells; also french cut green beans for pasta. She then calls these her "guilt-free" foods. Here's my reply:

Guilt has nothing to with it!

Eating a taco (or even ten tacos, with shells) is not a matter of guilt, shame, or any other language that implies that one's goodness/badness is any way related to what one chooses to eat. Steal those tacos? Take them away from someone else? Yeah, then it becomes a matter of moral judgement. But not -- ever -- just for eating.

The linking of morality to food choices is one of the evil tricks of the diet industry and obesity mafia. One direct outcome is our society's perception that fat-bashing is OK and that parents/doctors/schools/employers have a right to shame/embarrass fat (or diabetic?) people "for their own good" -- BULLS___T!!

SO. I outright reject the notion that guilt and eating (no matter what or how much) have anything to do with each other, and encourage everyone on this list to join me.

Note: I am not saying that diabetics or anyone else should toss common sense, or their own body's appetites, or their meters, out the window -- not at all. I believe that taking good care of our precious bodies means making conscious eating choices, guided by all of these.

However, even when we choose to ignore any of that, and just eat something because we love it, it feels good, it makes us happy -- even then, especially then -- we need to be kind and loving with ourselves, and not self-label with negative judgements.

Substituting lettuce leaves for taco shells, or green beans for pasta, may well be choices that satisfy common sense, appetite, and/or meters. They may be wonderful choices for you.

I simply encourage you to make such choices -- all food choices -- out of the positive energy of love and self-care, rather than the negative energy of avoiding guilt or shame. The same food will then nourish your body and your soul far better.